OPENINGS & CLOSINGS:
Perla’s Pizza, chef Mike Collantes’ nonconformist pie house, is aiming for an August opening just a few doors down from Soseki and Bar Kada at 959 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park. Collantes says Perla’s will serve “Florida Man pizza” and jokes that the goal “is to be hated by all Italians.”
Southern Fowl, a breakfast and lunch joint from Va Propst, formerly of Se7en Bites, will move from its current home in the old Nic & Luc Scratch Kitchen space in Longwood to the Marketplace food hall in Avalon Park this August. Propst will fashion scratch-made fare, from chicken and waffles to pot pies.
Speaking of, Nic & Luc All-Day Eatery will move into the former Daily News Deli & Grille space at 201 E. Pine St. in the PNC Bank building in October. Expect a menu of eclectic, farm-to-table breakfast and lunch fare.
Look for MilkShake Factory, specializing in handspun milkshakes made with homemade ice cream and gourmet chocolate, to open this fall in the old Popcorn Junkie space on the ground floor of the City View Apartments at 595 W. Church St.
Jala, an Indian fine dining restaurant, has opened in the space previously occupied by The Bridge at 155 E. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park. The menu comprises all the usual suspects, but Winter Park-ified. Think 24k gold-covered lamb chops for $55.
Also in Winter Park, The Good Pour — a wine and spirits store infusing “retail with philanthropy” — is now pouring its vino in the old Wells Fargo space near the corner of Orlando and Fairbanks avenues. The space features a rooftop bar for private events and celebrations.
Calu Bakery and Coffee, billed as “Florida’s first mobile artisanal bakery and coffee van,” is serving its pastries (including croissants and pains au chocolat), cakes, brownies, cookies and brews from its cute van. Calu rolls up every Sunday at the Clermont Farmers Market, but follow @calubakeryusa for locations and times during the week.
Zaza Cuban Comfort Food has opened its 10th location, this one at 191 State Road 436 in Fern Park. The locally grown chain plans to open seven more locations next year.
NEWS & EVENTS:
Tacos & Tequila goes Aug. 2 from 1-4 p.m. (noon entry for VIPs) outside on Church Street and inside the former Saints and Sinners/Irish Shannon’s bars, featuring scores of taco vendors and tequila brands. Tickets are $55 ($95 VIP). Visit tacosandtequilaorlando.com for more info.
Superica in Winter Park stages Watermelon Week Aug. 1-7 featuring watermelon-inspired beverages and dishes like watermelon margaritas and watermelon salad.
Master Sommelier George Miliotes of Wine Bar George teaches how to taste wine at Judson’s Live Sunday, Aug. 3, at 1 p.m. The tasting includes six 2-ounce glasses of wine and a sharable charcuterie board. For tickets, go to drphillipscenter.org.
The Whiskey in Dr. Phillips will host a Heaven’s Door Whiskey Tasting Monday, Aug. 4, from 6-8 p.m. featuring four premium whiskeys, light bites and a take-home bottle based on ticket tier, starting at $85. Only 30 seats are being made available. Visit downatthewhiskey.com for more information.
Big Fin Seafood will offer East Coast oysters from Maryland for $1 each in celebration of National Oyster Day Tuesday, Aug. 5.
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This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2025.